Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

With information presented in a pedagogical style that should be suitable for those who wish to learn methods that have evolved in the field, this text covers all aspects of modelling and simulation in the field of mineral processing. As well as quantitative modelling of mineral processing equipment, the book also addresses the use of these models to simulate the actual behaviour of ore dressing and coal washing as they are configured to work in industrial practice. Wherever possible, model structure is related to the underlying physical processes that govern the behaviour of particulate material in the processing equipment.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. v)
• 1. Introduction (p. 1)
• Bibliography (p. 4)
• References (p. 4)
• 2. Particle populations and distribution functions (p. 5)
• 2.1 Introduction (p. 5)
• 2.2 Distribution functions (p. 6)
• 2.3 The distribution density function (p. 13)
• 2.4 The distribution by number, the representative size and population averages (p. 13)
• 2.5 Distributions based on particle composition (p. 16)
• 2.6 Joint distribution functions (p. 17)
• 2.7 Conditional distribution functions (p. 19)
• 2.8 Independence (p. 31)
• 2.9 Distributions by number (p. 32)
• 2.10 Internal and external particle coordinates and distribution densities (p. 34)
• 2.11 Particle properties derived from internal coordinates (p. 35)
• 2.12 The population balance modeling method (p. 35)
• 2.13 The fundamental population balance equation (p. 36)
• 2.14 The general population balance equation for comminution machines (p. 40)
• Bibliography (p. 42)
• References (p. 43)
• 3. Mineral liberation (p. 45)
• 3.1 The beta distribution for mineral liberation (p. 46)
• 3.2 Graphical representation of the liberation distribution (p. 49)
• 3.3 Quantitative prediction of mineral liberation (p. 51)
• 3.4 Simulating mineral liberation during comminution (p. 58)
• 3.5 Non-random fracture (p. 69)
• 3.6 Discretized Andrews-Mika diagram (p. 72)
• 3.7 Symbols used in this chapter (p. 79)
• Bibliography (p. 79)
• References (p. 80)
• 4. Size classification (p. 81)
• 4.1 Classification based on sieving--vibrating screens (p. 81)
• 4.2 The classification function (p. 86)
• 4.3 A simple kinetic model for screening (p. 91)
• 4.4 Classification based on differential settling--the hydrocyclone (p. 98)
• 4.5 Terminal settling velocity (p. 102)
• 4.6 Capacity limitations of the hydrocyclone (p. 124)
• 4.7 Symbols used in this chapter (p. 124)
• References (p. 125)
• 5. Comminution operations (p. 127)
• 5.1 Fracture of brittle materials (p. 127)
• 5.2 Patterns of fracture when a single particle breaks (p. 129)
• 5.3 Breakage probability and particle fracture energy (p. 132)
• 5.4 Progeny size distribution when a single particle breaks--the breakage function (p. 136)
• 5.5 Energy requirements for comminution (p. 150)
• 5.6 Crushing machines (p. 152)
• 5.7 Grinding (p. 160)
• 5.8 The continuous mill (p. 174)
• 5.9 Mixing characteristics of operating mills (p. 179)
• 5.10 Models for rod mills (p. 180)
• 5.11 The population balance model for autogenous mills (p. 181)
• 5.12 Models for the specific rate of breakage in ball mills (p. 187)
• 5.13 Models for the specific rate of breakage in autogenous and semi-autogenous mills (p. 197)
• 5.14 Models for the breakage function in autogenous and semi-autogenous mills (p. 201)
• 5.15 Mill power and mill selection (p. 202)
• 5.16 The batch mill (p. 205)
• Bibliography (p. 209)
• References (p. 210)
• 6. Solid-liquid separation (p. 213)
• 6.1 Thickening (p. 213)
• 6.2 Useful models for the sedimentation velocity (p. 219)
• 6.3 Simulation of continuous thickener operation (p. 220)
• 6.4 Mechanical dewatering of slurries (p. 223)
• 6.5 Filtration (p. 227)
• Bibliography (p. 230)
• References (p. 231)
• 7. Gravity separation (p. 233)
• 7.1 Manufactured-medium gravity separation (p. 233)
• 7.2 Quantitative models for dense-media separators (p. 234)
• 7.3 Autogenous media separators (p. 243)
• 7.4 Generalized partition function models for gravity separation units (p. 263)
• Bibliography (p. 266)
• References (p. 266)
• 8. Magnetic separation (p. 269)
• 8.1 Behavior of particles in magnetic fields (p. 269)
• 8.2 Forces experienced by a particle in a magnetic field (p. 272)
• 8.3 Magnetic properties of minerals (p. 277)
• 8.4 Magnetic separating machines (p. 278)
• 8.5 Dry magnetic separation (p. 283)
• 8.6 Wet high intensity magnetic separation (p. 287)
• Bibliography (p. 288)
• References (p. 288)
• 9. Flotation (p. 289)
• 9.1 A kinetic approach to flotation modeling (p. 290)
• 9.2 A kinetic model for flotation (p. 293)
• 9.3 Distributed rate constant kinetic model for flotation (p. 307)
• 9.4 Bubble loading during flotation (p. 309)
• 9.5 Rise times of loaded bubbles (p. 312)
• 9.6 Particle detachment (p. 321)
• 9.7 The froth phase (p. 323)
• 9.8 Simplified kinetic models for flotation (p. 337)
• 9.9 Symbols used in this chapter (p. 346)
• Bibliography (p. 347)
• References (p. 348)
• 10. Simulation of ore dressing plants (p. 351)
• 10.1 The nature of simulation (p. 351)
• 10.2 Use of the simulator (p. 354)
• 10.3 The flowsheet structure (p. 355)
• 10.4 Simulation of single unit operations and simple flowsheets (p. 363)
• 10.5 Integrated flowsheets (p. 371)
• 10.6 Symbols used in this chapter (p. 393)
• References (p. 393)
• Appendix Composition and specific gravities of some common minerals (p. 395)
• Index (p. 399)